Position: Secure Care

The Promise Scotland is continuing to monitor and engage with partners around the ongoing capacity issues within Scotland’s secure estate.

We know from the most recent Scottish Government statement, on the contingency plan developed with COSLA and Social Work Scotland, that steps are being taken to ensure that all children who need the therapeutic and safe space of secure care are able to access it. This must be a national priority. The current challenges must continue to be addressed urgently to provide children with the care they need and uphold their rights whilst also tackling the systemic issues that have led to this situation.

As Scotland works towards delivering the promise, it is essential that children in need of the state’s care and protection receive support in the most appropriate setting for their needs. While secure care provides intensive, restrictive support for those who require it, the Independent Care Review set out a vision for delivering high levels of care outwith the secure estate—allowing more children to be kept safe and supported within their own communities.

Further detail on how this should be done is set out in Reimagining Secure Care.

We welcomed the Scottish Government’s response to Reimagining Secure Care, agreeing with the principles of the report, and a long term shift towards more community focused support. This vision for reform must continue to be focussed on alongside the current work to restore capacity in the existing system.

The Promise Scotland recognises that across Scotland, people are working hard to keep children safe. We are committed to working alongside them to increase the pace of change, with an unwavering focus on upholding children and young people’s rights to realise the conclusions of the Independent Care Review and keep the promise.

You can find out more about our position on this, what Scotland needs to do, and Fiona's Duncan's statement on Reimagining Secure Care in the links below.